Getting pregnant straight after stopping the pill.

[Mscasandra123]

Just wondered if anyone can relate to my situation. I have read a few articles but thought I would post myself. I have been on the birth control pill for 18 years and have decided to give myself a break. I am 34 years old. Is it possible to get pregnant straight away after stopping? I finished a packet like normal had my break to have my bleed and then just havnt taken it again. My friends are saying that I takes time to leave your system but then I’m reading some some have got pregnant straight away.

I did at 30. Now on baby no.2 at 34 nearly 35. You just need to look out for signs of ovulation, which might take a couple of cycles.

Yes I got pregnant straight away after stopping! I was waiting for my period to come so I could start tracking my cycle and it never came! My DS did instead!

Yes, definitely possible. You’ll ovulate before you get your first period, and if you’ve had unprotected sex around the time of ovulation you could be pregnant before your period comes back. However it is also true that it can take some time for your cycles to get back to normal after you’ve been on hormonal contraception.

You don’t say how long it’s been since you stopped the pill, if it’s been more than a few weeks I’d be tempted to do a pregnancy test just to check.

I took my last pill on the 18th of December and had my bleed. I have had sex with my partner since then but I I feel like I’m so out of sync with with is normal for my body. I have sore breasts and bloating and feel like my hormones are all over the place

Yes you can.

Ah, it’s only been a couple of weeks then, I’d probably leave it and expect a period some time in January, if it doesn’t come I’d take a test and then you’d know either way. Are you hoping to get pregnant?

I felt like I was going through puberty again after coming off the pill, and this was after 15 years of being on it. It just showed me how much I never want to go on it again! My natural periods are much lighter and less painful took and libido is higher…

It’s been a massive decision to come off it. I was very apprehensive but with support from
my partner I am glad I have done it! I am worried about my periods being painful again but I heard they can change as you get older. Hearing your experience is very reassuring thank you

i am hoping yes but I have never had sex not being on the pill so my mind is literally all over the place with it but I’m trying not to over think to much

Yep, my first was concieved the month I came off the pill!

With DD1 I finished the pill on the 4th Dec and got a positive test on 3 January so definitely possible

With dd1, I finished my December pill packet. Must have missed a period in January and then found out I was pregnant in February! So one month.

I conceived first month after coming off the pill after about 20 years on it

Well yeah you can ovulate within 2 weeks of stopping it.
Why do you think it’s so important to take it every day for at least 3 weeks and use additional precautions if you miss any pills? It’s metabolised very quickly.

I got pregnant pretty fast after stopping.
I stopped pill late august, first period late september, pregnant by 14th October

Hi OP,
I fell pregnant 3rd month off the pill and had been taking it for 17 years(I'm 34)

I fell pregnant the first month after stopping the pill with both of mine it's definitely plausible x

Yes you can. I was on the pill for 15 years, took my last pill of the pack, had my bleed as normal and 5 weeks later a positive test! I was 31.

how quickly did you start experiencing pregnancy symptoms. I don’t know if what I’m feeling is my body adjusting coming off the pill or something else !

@Mscasandra123 i didn’t experience any symptoms until around 6ish weeks! I only took a test because I was going out for drinks that night and I knew it had been around 5wks since I stopped the pill! I’m currently around 15wks pregnant with number 2 and that also happened fast after stopping the pill again - pill stopped in mid Aug and positive test by mid oct. Again no real symptoms till around 6wks

Yes, I came off the pill at 34 because the nurse said it could take 12-18 months for things to go back to normal. I certainly did not expect to be pregnant 2 months later. I’ve since heard it’s quite common.

thank you for your input and congratulations:)

I started vomiting before I did the test and thought it was norovirus!

In my case, stopping the pill after 18 years in 2021, I didn't have a period at all following the withdrawal bleed. After 5 months of no period and BFNs, I went to the doctor and they immediately referred me for tests and put me on the IVF waiting list as well. It was another month after visiting the doctor before I finally had a natural bleed, and over a year before I settled into a semi-regular cycle (though even then, my cycles varied from 24 to 35 days). Tests failed to identify an underlying cause. In the end I never conceived naturally and ended up having IVF (for which I reached the top of the waiting list in February 2024, and delayed starting until autumn). Thankfully it worked first time and I'm currently almost 18 weeks pregnant.

It's great to read so many other people's more straightforward experiences of quick conception, but I wanted to share mine as an alternative, just so you're aware that it isn't always an immediate transition to normality. Age and duration of use may also be a factor; I was 34 when I stopped taking the pill, having started it at 16 to manage acne, and I didn't take a single break from it in those 18 years (other than for the withdrawal bleeds). I don't think my poor body was ever given a chance to mature properly with being controlled artificially whilst still in puberty. I'd never go back on the pill now.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! It has made me worry being on the pill for so long of it has any implications. Congratulation on your pregnancy and I hope all goes well for you :)